San Marzano and Amish Paste are popular varieties of tomatoes known for their thick texture, their low seed count, as well as their rich flavor profile.
These tomatoes are paste tomatoes which means that they are great for making tomato sauces.
However, they are different cultivars of tomatoes, and they have a few different characteristics.
San Marzano tomatoes are an Italian variety of tomatoes, while the Amish Paste tomatoes are an heirloom variety that originated in North America.
In this post, we explore these varieties of tomatoes and highlight the features that set them apart.
What are San Marzano Tomatoes?
San Marzano tomatoes are a type of plum tomato known for their rich flavor and low acidity.
Originating from the Campania region in Italy, these tomatoes are one of the most popular varieties of tomatoes worldwide.
San Marzano tomatoes are elongated with a thick flesh and vibrant red color. They have fewer seeds and are also sweeter compared to other varieties of tomatoes.
Authentic San Marzano tomatoes have Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status and are typically grown in specific regions in Italy.
The thick and meaty texture of these tomatoes make them ideal for canning and for making sauces.
These tomatoes are often used to make marinara sauce and pizza sauce.
What are Amish paste tomatoes?
Amish Paste tomatoes are heirloom varieties originating from the Amish community in the United States.
These tomatoes have a distinct appearance characterized by a plum-like shape, smooth, vibrant red skin and dense interior.
They have a reduced seed content which further enhances the thickness of these tomatoes.
The tomato’s flavor profile is sweet with a subtle tanginess.
Due to their thick flesh and low seed content, Amish Paste tomatoes are popular for making flavorful tomato sauces, tomato pastes, and also for canning.
They can also be sliced and enjoyed fresh in salads or used to make sandwiches.
Additionally, these tomatoes are well-suited for drying, as their firm texture allows for efficient moisture removal.
Difference between San Marzano and Amish paste tomatoes
Origin
San Marzano and Amish Paste tomatoes have distinct origins.
San Marzano tomatoes are a variety originally from the region of Campania in Italy, while Amish Paste tomatoes were developed in the United States, specifically among the Amish community.
In addition to that, Authentic San Marzano tomatoes have Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status which means they can be grown only in a specific place.
Size and shape
You can tell the two tomatoes apart by their sizes.
San Marzano tomatoes are generally elongated and conical with a pointed tip, while Amish Paste tomatoes are more rounded
San Marzano tomatoes are also larger in size compared to Amish paste tomatoes.
Thickness
Both paste tomatoes are known for their thick flesh, few seeds, low water content making them perfect for sauces.
San Marzano tomatoes and Amish paste tomatoes have thick flesh.
However, San Marzano tomatoes are usually thicker with fewer seeds compared to Amish paste tomatoes
Flavor
Although the flavor of both varieties of tomatoes depends on the degree of ripeness as well as the growing conditions, San Marzano tomatoes is often considered to be sweeter and have less acidity compared to Amish paste tomatoes.
